Recording-machine.



E. M. RAUHENSTEIN.

RECORDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 26, 1910.

Patented 0013. 11, 1910.

10 SHBBTSSHEET 1.

" ,Emfa a 85mm,

tu; Y

ima gz E. M. RAUHENSTEIN.

RECORDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED umze, 1910.

972,405. Patented 0@t.11,1910

10 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

' E; M. RAUHENSTEIN.

RECORDING MACHINE.

APPLIUATION FILED JAN. 26, 1910.

972,405. 1 v Patented 001. 11,1910.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

E. M. RAUHENSTEIN. RECORDING MACHINE. v APPLIOATIOH FILED 126, 1910.

972,405.. Patented Oct. 11,1910.

10 SHEETSSHEET 4.

M. RAUHENSTEIN.

RECORDING MAGHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 26, 1910.

972,405. Patented 0@1:.11,1910

10 SHEETSSHEET 5.

E. M. RAUHENSTE-IN.

RECORDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 26, 1910.

972,405. Patented Oct. 11,1910.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

E. M. RAUHENSTEIN.

RECORDING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED JAN. 26, 1910.

Patented Oct. 11,1910.

A10 SHEETSSHEET 7.

FEW/Z3222 E. M. RAUHENST-EIN. RECORDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 26 1910. 972,405 I 10 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

' mllllllillllltlhilllqilll JIIIIIELIijIMI D J B e1tsassiltiilnumifii l| llllllllllllllMI-Illll Patented Oct. ,1 1, 1910.

E. M. RAUHENSTEIN.

- RECORDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 26, 1910. I 972,405. Patented 0ct.11,1910.

10 SHEETSSHEET 10.

of charges for any period.

EVA M. RAUHENSTEIN, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

RECORDING-MACHINE. I

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 11, 1910.

Application filed January 26, 1910. Serial No. 540,240.

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, EVA M. RAUHENsTEIn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Recording-Machines, of

' which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a recording ma chine which is more particularly designed for recording the checks of waiters in hotels or restaurants but which mayialso be used for other purposes.

In the present method of recording or checking the checks or tickets of hotel wait.- ers a duplex stamp is employed whereby the amount of goods taken away by the waiter is simultaneously printed on the waiters check and onthe record sheet of the auditor or checking clerk.

Each waiter has a number and the checks of each waiter are recorded in the correspondingly numbered column of the checking sheet. Thisnot only permits of errors in stain in the ri ht amount and in char P s ing the right waiter but it also necessitates adding the columns individually and collectively in order to obtain the grand total This invention has for its object to provide a machine whereby the checking of waiters checks and a record of the same may be ob tained with a minimum liability of errors, which enables eachwaiter whose check is being stam-ped to detect whether the charge is being properly made against him and whether the amount of such charge is correct, which produces a grand total of the charges for any period. and which facilitates the stamping of checks and permits the waiters to render quicker service.

In the accompanying drawings consisting of '10 sheets: Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional elevation of a machine em bo'dying my invention. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary horizontal section in line 22, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section in line 33, Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a. front elevation of the machine, partly broken away. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary horizontal section in line 55, Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a horizontal section in line 6-6, Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a fragmentary side elevation of one of the checking stamps and adjacent parts of the machine. Fig. 8 is a front elevation of the same. Fig. 9 is a shifted. Fig. 11 is a front end elevation of the same. Fig. 12 isaside elevation thereof.

Fig. 13 is a top plan view of the casing which incloses the registering mechanism. Fig. 14 is an end view thereof. Fig. 15 is a diagrammatic 'view of the registering mechanism. Fig. 16 is an end elevation thereof. Fig. 17 is a fragmentary vertical section, on an enlarged scale, of the locking mechanism whereby operation of the'machine is prevented except when in the proper position for recording in. a, column of the record sheet. Figs. 18 and 19 are horizontal sections in the correspondingly numbered lines in Fig. 17. Fig.20 is a diagrammatic view showing the connections of the elec-' trical indicating device. Fig. 21is a face view of one of the stamps. Fig. 22 is a fragmentary longitudinal section, on an enlarged scale, showing part of the transferring mechanism.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding part sthroughout the several views.

A represents the inclosing casing, body or frame which contains the concealed or internal parts of the machine and which may be of any suitable or approved construction. The form shown in the drawings is preferred and comprises a lower wide section a and an upper narrow section a rising from the rear part of the lower section. The top B of the lower section forms a table or desk and the front wall C of the upper section which is arranged. at the rear end of the table forms an upright support for parts which will be hereinafter fully described.

The central part of the table is provided with an opening Z) preferably of rectangular form and below this opening is arranged a stationary platen b which may be supported in any suitable manner.

Below the opening 6 and above the platen b is arranged the sheet D of paper or other The size of the recording opening I) is only of such dimensions as to permit of making but one entry at a time on the recording sheet. For bringing different columns of the recording sheet into register with the recording opening the sheet is moved transversely, and for advancing the sheet as the entries are madein different columns the same is moved lengthwise from the front to the rear of the machine.

under the table in front of the record openmg and after having the charges recorded thereon the sheet is again wound up on a receiving roller cl arranged below thetable in rear of the record opening.

Various means may be employed for shifting the record sheet transversely, that shown in the drawings being constructed as fol lows z E, E represent horizontal front and rear shafts which are journaled transversely in bearings on the interior of the case so as to be capable of turning but incapable of axial movement. The supply and receiving rollers (Z, d are mounted respectively on the front and rear shafts E, E so that these rollers are compelled to turn with these shafts but are free to slide lengthwise thereon. The front and rear paper rollers E, E are moved transversely in the casing or lengthwise on their shafts by a shifting frame or carriage comprising-longitudinal shifting bars a, e engaging with opposite ends of the rollers (i, (Z and mounted on the shafts E, E, and a cross bar a connecting the front ends of the longitudinal bars a. e.

The paper record sheet, paper rollers and shifting frame are moved transversely by a handle F preferably arranged lengthwise and horizontally adjacent to the front edge of the table and connected with the shifting frame by an upright arm 7' extending through a transverse slot 7' in the table at the front. edge thereof. Upon grasping the handle and pushing the same transversely in one direction or the other the record sheet may be shifted until the desired column thereof is in line with the recording opening in the table and permits of stamping thereon the charge against the waiter whose number corresponds with this column. For

reliably supporting the handle F while the latter is moved transversely, two transverse guide rods 7' are mounted on the casing in front of the table and pass through guide openings 7 in the lower part of the handle.

\Vhen the record sheet is in the proper position for recording in one or another of its columns the same is preferably held in place. by a locking device which preferably comprises a plurality of notches or recesses 1 arranged in a transverse row on the front edge of the table, a longitudinally movable locking bolt G guided on the handle F and The record sheet is preferably used in the form of a long web which is unwound from a supply roller (5 arranged E adapted to move at its front end into and out of engagement with one or the other of said recesses or notches g, a spring g interposed between the handle and the locking bolt and adapted to hold the latter yieldrecord sheet in accordance with each waiter,

the table is provided on its upper side adjacent to its locking notches with a row of numbers corresponding to the waiters and the handle F is provided with a pointer f which traverses said row of numbers.-

The record on the recording sheet may be produced in various Ways but preferably by means which comprise a plurality of stamps H of metal or other suitable material, ink pads h whereby the faces of said stamps are inked, and an ink ribbon I arranged over that part of the record sheet which is in line with the record opening. Each of the stamps bears a figure, mark or type corresponding to one of the charges which are usually made for goods served by the waiter to a guest, as many different stamps being employed as are found desirable for the particular business.

F or producing a record of a charge on a waiters check and on the record sheet, the latter is first shifted to the proper position, then the check is placed on the ribbon within the recording opening and then the stamp which corresponds to this charge and the face of which has been previously inked is pressed upon the check, thereby producing one direct impression of the stamp on the check and another indirect impression of the same on the record sheet through the medium of the ink ribbon.

The ink ribbon is preferably unwound from a supply roller 2' which is arranged under the table in front of the record opening and mounted on a transverse shaft or rod 1' and wound upon a receiving roller 2' arranged under the table in rear of the record opening and mounted on a transverse shaft or rod '5 In order to reduce the frictional contact of the recording sheet with the platen, two rollers 2', i are arranged to sup port this sheet in front and in rear of the platen, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5.

The record sheet and ink ribbon are moved lengthwise forward for each record so that the charges are entered in the several columns successively from the top to the bottom thereof and a new part of thcink ribbon is presented for each impression so as to produce a clear record.

Means are provided whereby the several stamps are held in a retracted position when not in use but which permits the stamps to sentin be moved to the printing position said means rest will cause the record sheet and the ink ribbon to be advanced one space for-preanother line of the record sheet to the printing device and also a fresh ink surface. The mechanism for this purpose which is shown in the drawings, as an ex ample, is constructed as follows :.J 'repre sents a. plurality of vertically movable weights or weight rods each of which is guideway j arranged in a transverse row in the rear part of the lower section of the 'casing. At its upper end each weight rod is. provided with a roller j underneath whlch passes a cord, line, cable or similar wall of this section and is operatively connected with one of the stamps H. When the latter is free the same is retracted and drawn against the front side of the front wall-of the upper casing section by the corresponding Weight J pullin the respective cord K downwardly in the orm of a bight, as shown in Fig. 1. Upon moving one of the stamps forwardly and downwardly from its position of rest and producing an impression of the same on the waiters check and recordsheet at the record open ing of the tablethe straightening of the corresponding cord K causes the weight J of the same to rise and upon releasing the stamp the weight descends and draws the stamp back to its position of rest. This vertically reciprocating movement of the several weights is utilized to effect the feeding action of the record sheet and ink ribbon preferably by means of a ratchet pawl Z arranged on the upper part of each weight rod, a ratchet wheel L adapted to be turned during the upward movement of the weight by engagement of the pawl Z with the teeth of saidratchet wheel, but to remain at rest during :the downward movement of said weight, a gear wheel Z connected with the ratchet wheel L and meshing with a gear wheel Z on a transverse shaft L a gear wheel Z secured to the rear shaft E and .meshing with one of the gear wheels Z and a gear wheel Z* on the ink roller shaft 5" meshing with the gear wheel Z on the shaft E Vhcnever any one of the weights J is raised its pawl Z turns the corresponding ratchet- L and the movement of the latter is transmitted by the gear wheels Z Z Z and shafts L E to t e paper receiving roller (Z and continue'by the gear wheel Z to the ink ribbon receiving roller, thereby advanc guided in a stationary vertical pocket or and 7. In this position of the space or step just before the stamp is applied thereto. During the return movement of the stamp and the corresponding weight the ratchet pawl descends without affecting the paper-and ribbon feeding mechanism.

For the'purpose of preventing the weights from turning in their guideways and maintaining-the same in position, so that their ratchetpawls Z remain in line with their respective ratchet wheels each of these weights is provided with a spline or key M which engages-at its-opposite ends with longitudinal slots m in its guide'way 9'.

Each of the stamps is preferably connected with its cord K and associated with other parts in such manner that the same upon returning to its position of rest will be automatically inked ready for producing the next impression of the same on a waiters check. The preferred means for this purpose shown in the drawings comprise inclined guides 12 arranged on the front side of the upright front wall C adjacent to each cord opening it, guide sleeves N each adapt ed to engage at its front end with the guide 11. adjacent to one of said cord openings and to be directed to the latter thereby and provided onits side near its front end with a draft opening n through which the .cord passes and-a plurality of three armed stamping levers M each havin which carries a stamp a rear arm m forming a handle and a central laterally projecting arm m which is pivoted on the rear end of one of the guide sleeves.

Upon releasing a stamp the weight J pulls the cord K and draws the guide sleeve against the guide faces a and at the same time turns the three armed le'vers so as to press the stamp H on the rear arm of this lever against an inking pad h on the adjacent part of the frontside of the upper casing section, as shown in full lines in Figs. 1 parts the front and rear arms of the stamping lever are parallel With the companion guide sleeve N, the movement of the lever in .this direction being limited by engagement of the central arm m "thereof engaging with a stop shoulder n on the adjacent part of the guide sleeve.

Upon moving a stamp and' its return mechanism from the retracted position to the impression position, the stamping lever is turned on the guide sleeve so that the central arm of thestamping lever is in line with the guide sleeve, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1. For the sake of greater compactness the stamps and associated parts are preferably arranged in a plurality of superposed horizontal rows 011 the front wall C, two of such rows being shown, for example, in Figs. 1 and 4.

In order to reduce the wear on the stamp a front arm at ing the record sheet and ink ribbon one i cords, antifriction rollers 70 70 are arranged 0 in the cord openings 7; and in rear of the same for the cords to pass over, as shown in Figs. 1, 6, 7 and 9.

It is desirable to prevent withdrawal of the stamps from their retracted position except when the paper carriage is in the proper position to present one of the columns of the record sheet to the record opening. For this purpose a locking device is provided which is preferably constructed as follows represents a plurality of horizontally movable locking bars each of which is provided at its rear end with an opening having a narrow front part 0 which permits of the passage of the upper narrow part 0- of 'a weight rod and a wide rear part 0" which permits the passage of the wide lower part 0 of the weight rod. Each of these locking bars slides at its rear end between the upper ends of one of the pockets j and a cross bar 0 arranged above the locking bar and secured to the casing,

P represents a plurality of upright rock levers which are secured to a transverse rock shaft ;0 journaled in the casing and each of which has its lower arm connected with the front end of one of the locking bars 0 while its upper arm is connected with the inner end of a longitudinally movable shifting rod Q, guided on the casing and projecting at its front or outer end into one of the notches 9.

One or more of the levers P are connected by springs 0 with the casing which operate to hold the locking bars yieldingly in their rearmost position in which the narrow parts 0 of the locking openings receive the upper narrow parts of the weight rods and the shoulders I) between the upper and lower parts of the weight rods engage with the underside of the locking bars, thereby preventing the stamps from being withdrawn from their retracted position. When, however, the paper carriage has been shifted so that one of the columns of the record sheet. is in line with the record opening and thelocking bolt G enters the adjacent notch g then the latter pushes the respective shifting rod Q inwardly thereby shifting the several locking bars so that the contracted parts of the same are disengaged from the shoulders 0 of the weight rods whereby the latter are released and the stamps are permitted to be withdrawn from their retracted position-into a position for. use.

Indicating means are provided which enable the waiter whose check is being stamped to observe whether the. charge is being entered in the right column of the record sheet. These indicating means preferably comprise electrically illuminated lamps R each of which corresponds to one of the waiters and is adapted to be lighted when the paper carriage 1S locked in one or another of its registering positions. The lamps arpreferably two insulated and normally disconnectedcontacts of an electric switch which are, ar-

ranged adjacent to the path of each of the shifting arms f, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5 and one. of which is connected with the op:

posite side of the battery while the other is connected with the opposite side of one of the indicating lamps. When the paper earriage is shifted to the proper position for bringing a column of the record sheet in line with the record opening of the table, then the arm f is arranged between the adjaceiitpair of contacts a, s and closes the circuitof the indicating lamp'corresponding to the waiter whose column of the record sheet is now in the recording position, thereby permitting him to determine with certainty that the charge which is being entered and checked is being placed to h1s credit. As the paper carriage leaves one position the lamp corresponding to the same is extinguished and another lamp is lighted when the paper carriage is in another printing or recording position. In order to avoid keeping a lamp lighted during intervals when no stamping is taking place the lamps may be all extinguished by shifting the paper carriage so that the arm f is in an idle position between the adjacent pairs of contacts s,'s.

Means are provided for successively adding the amounts or charges which are stamped on the waiters checks and main record-sheet so that the grand total of all the checks is registered and obtainable at any time. The preferred means for this purpose which are shown in the drawings are constructed as follows -T, T T? &c. represent a plurality of registering wheels which are arranged axially in line and each of which is provided on its periphery'with numbers from 0 to 9 The first of these wheels represents the cents or units of a numbenthe second dimes or tens, the next hundreds, the next thousands and so on upward in the usual order of numbers. D1111 mg each complete rotation of one of these number or registering wheels the next higher registering wheel is caused to make one tenth of a turn, the means for this purpose consisting preferably of a driving mion t turning with each re istering whee an intermedlate gear whee meshing with the driving pinion, an intermediate gear pinion v t turning with the'intermediate gear wheel operative position to the impression positermediate tion, the lowest registering wheel T is caused to turn forwardly a number of spaces or stepscorresponding to the number of cents represented by that particular stamp. This is preferably eifected by means of, a univers'al'shaft U connected wit-l1 the registering wheel T and provided with a plurality of driven gear wheels u, a plurality of'intermediate driving gear wheels V meshing with the driven gear wheels u and each connected with a engage with one of the star wheels 11 and connected with a ratchet wheel W, an ingear wheel w turning concentrically with the ratchet wheel W and provided with a ratchet pawl w engaging with the ratchet wheel, and a plurality of primary gear wheels w each of which meshes on one side-with one of said intermediate gear wheels to and on its opposite side with a gear rack '24) on'one .of the weight rods J.

Upon raising any one ofthe weight rods by shifting the corresponding stamp away from its position of rest, the lowest registering wheel '1 will be turned forwardly through the medium of the gearing between the during the downward or retunn movement of the respective weight rod the registering wheel T will not be moved backwardly owing to the action of the ratchet pawl w and wheel W. The relative size of the several pairs of cooperating gears u, V variesaccording to the respective amounts of the stamps with which they are associated so that upon using any one of the stamps the primary registering wheel T will be turned a greater or lesser number of steps dependf ing upon the charge represented by that particular stamp and causing this charge to be accumulated on the register.

The register wheels are preferably inclosed by a cover as having openings m through which only one line of numbers on the registering wheels is visible, asishown in Fig. 13.

The locking bars 0 and associated parts operate to prevent the registering mechanism from being worked except when the paper carriage isin theproperjpositionfor recording in one of the columns of this sheet, p

The 'rear wall C of the upper section of the casing is provided with an opening cow ered by a dooror panel y through which access may be had to the interior of the machine for inspecting the registering mechanism. The tables alsoamovably connected pinion or star wheel a, a plu-. .rahty of rotatable dogs 'w each adapted to same and the shifted weight rod but on said with the other-parts of the casing to permit of renewing the record sheet and ink ribbon. v This recording machine is comparatively simple in construction considering the functions which it performs, it is easy of manipulation and permits of expeditiously stamping the waiters checks and retaining a duplicate of the same, and also a total of all the charges which have been checked, thereby eifecting a considerable saving in time and reducing mistakes inchecking andminimizingthe labor heretofore required to do this work properly I claim as my invention:

1. A recording machine comprising a stamp movable into an operative and an inoperative position, means for supporting said stamp in its inoperative position, an

means for yieldingly holding the stamp in its inoperative position comprising a cord connected at one end with said stamp and at its other end with a stationary part, and a weight suspended from said cord between the ends thereof.

2. -A' recording machine comprising a stamp movable into an operative and an inoperative position, means for supporting said stamp in its'inoperative position, and

means for yieldingly holding the stamp in its inoperative position comprising a cord connected at one end with said stamp and at its other end with a stationary part, a weight suspended from said cord between the ends thereof and an upright guide for said weight.

3. A recording machine comprising a support having an opening, a weighted cord passing through said opening, a guide meniher through which said cord passes and which is adapted toengage with said sup port adjacent to said opening, a lever'pivoted on said guide member and connected with said cord, and a stamp arranged on said lever. n

4. A recording machine comprising a support having an opening, a weighted cord assing through said opening, a guide memher through which said cord ipasses and which is adapted to.'engage with said support ad acent to said opening, a lever pivoted ide member and connected Wit-l1 said cor a-stamp arranged on said lever,

and an ink pad which is arranged, on said support and which is adapted to be'engaged by said stamp in the retracted position of the guide surface adjacent to said opening, va weighte'd cord arranged' m sa1d opening, a

guide member adapted to engage at its front .end with said guide surfaces and adapted to receive said cord, a hand lever pivoted on said guide member and connected with said cord, a stamp arranged on said lever,

and an ink pad arranged on said support adjacent to said cord opening and adapted to be engaged. by said stamp.

6. A recording machine comprising a plurality of movable stamps of different de-' nominations, a plurality of cords each connected with one of said stamps, a weight suspended from each cord, an accumulating mechanism, and differential means interposed between said weights and said accumulating mechanism for operating the lat ter according to the stamp which has been shifted.

7. A recording machine comprising a pluralit-y of movable stamps of different denominations, a plurality of cords each connectedwlth oneof said stamps, a weight suspended from each cord, an accumulating.

. ated-wit-h the other stamps.

S. A recording machine comprising a plurality oi movable stamps, means for holding a movable record sheet which is adapted to receive the record of said stamps, and means for advancing said sheet upon shifting any one of said stamps comprising a cord connected with each stamp, and intermediate transmitting mechanism interposed between said cord and said record sheet.

9. A recording machine comprising a plurality of movable stamps, means for holding a movable record sheet which is adapted to receive the record of said stamps, and means for advancing said sheet upon shifting any one of said stamps comprising a supply roller from which said sheet is unwound, a receiving roller upon which said sheet is wound up, a cord connected with each stamp,

a weight connected with each cord, transmitting gearing associated with said receiving roller, and a ratchet mechanism interposed between said weights and said transmitting gearing.

10. A recording machine comprising a table having a recording opening and a plurality of locking notches, means for holding a recording sheet arranged below the table and adapted to be moved transversely for bringing difierent parts ofthe sheet to the recording opening, a earriagecontrolling the movement of said sheet and having a shifting handle, a locking bolt arranged on said handle and adapted to engage one or the other of said locking notches, and a plurality of stamps of difi erent denominations adapted to be impressed on said sleeet at said res cording opening.

11. A recording machine comprising means for holding a recording sheet which is movable for bringing different columns thereof to a printing position, means for shifting the record sheet, a plurality of stamps of different denominations capable of alternately occupying one or the other of two positions adapted to be impressed upon the sheet at the printing position, and a lock ing device which holds said stamps in a retracted position and only permits of releasing them when the recording sheet has presented one of its columns to the printing position.

12. A recording machine comprising means for holding and moving a recording sheet which is movable for presenting different columns to a printing position,- a plurality of stamps of dilierent denominations adapted to be impressed upon the sheet at the printing position, means for yieldingly holding said stamps in a retracted position comprising a cord connected with each stamp and a locking device associated with said cords and operating. to hold said stamps against movement to the printing position except when the sheet is shifted to present one of its columns to the printing position. 13. A recording machine comprising a support having a table provided with a recording opening and with a. row of locking notches and having an uprightboard pro vided with a plurality of cord openings, a recording sheet movable underneath the table for bringing different columns thereof and each connected with one of said stamps, I

a weight suspended from each of said cords, and a locking bar for each of said weights which is controlled by-the loekingbolt of said sheet shifting frame.

14. A recording machine comprising a support having a table provided with a re cording opening and with a row of locking notches and having an upright board provided with a plurality of cord openings, means for holding and moving a recordin sheet underneath the table for bringing di ferent columns thereof to said recording opening, a shifting frame for said sheet having a handle, a locking bolt mounted on said handle and. adapted to engage with said notches, a plurality of cords passing through said cord openings and each connected with;

rising, @plurality of connected rock levers \Vitness my hand this 22nd day of Janueach havlng one arm connected with one of i ary, 1910. 4

said 1ockin bars and a lockin rod con- 1 T wrw q nected With the oti1er arm of eacli rock lever 1A A LAUHE) 1L1)" and projecting into one of said notches in Vitnesses:

v position to be shifted by the locking bolt of RICHARD SQMMER,

the sheet shifting frame. E. M. GRAIL-ni. 

